Museum Update; The State of the Doll House

 

Today started out as another Monday with a lot of potential to go wrong.  So, I gave up and went thrifting for awhile.  I read everything, and have started to read the Bible cover to cover, but have also binge read Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels.  They are clever, but simple, and they make me laugh.  In college, I had a good friend named Janet Dijanovich.  That may be another reason I like her books so much.  Still, I get to the museum.  We are trying to build frames to encase the shelves already up, and need to move glass cases around.  We also need to move more glass cases into the building.

 

As the photos show, we’ve done some landscaping.  Our biggest expense is building maintenance; I have been paying out of pocket with my own money.  Until we can open, this is my only option.  We need financial donations, but we truly thank all of our friends and mentors who have donated cases, dolls, toys, stands, furniture, books, etc.  We do not sell our donations, and have provided homes for treasured items for those who could no longer keep them.

 

I put together a case of international costume dolls, primarily the former collection of Mrs. Doris Olson of Do Travel; she collected them on trips all over the world.  I began collecting with these types of dolls, and I still am very fond of them and look for them everywhere.

 

I have been dressing and repairing dolls where needed, and refurbishing toys.  Today, I added Chinese Checkers and a Texas Hold ‘Em set to our board games. I also added a small super soaker type water gun; believe it or not, these water guns have a huge following of collectors. 

 

I am rearranging some of the shelves, and making labels for displays.  Also, unpacking and repacking some things as I arrange the displays.

 

We hope to open late summer, but I’ll keep you posted.  One of our first programs will be geared towards helping the local food pantries.  We will also get our puppet theater going, and our Fairy Land display assembled.

 

Thank you to those who support this page and my other pages on dolls, Dr. R., Antique Doll, and Dr. E’s Doll Museum.  I will also post this on our American Doll and Toy Museum Blog.  Thanks to those who have supported my Ellen Tsagaris, aka Liz Borden authors page, and our family business page, On Guard Security.

 

My book, Thinking outside the Doll House, a Memoir, is being sold in paperback, hard back, and eBook format.  It is available online at Austin Macaulay, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and elsewhere.  I’ve found it is being sold around the world.  Proceeds go tot support the museum.

 

We will move forward, and recover from the months we were shut down by COVID.  Hopefully, we are all now healthy and recovered, and life will follow its usual rhythm and routine.  Good luck to all, happy collecting, and again a big thank you to all who have helped us.  More updates will follow.

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What I've Done the Last Two Weeks for the Museum

 Like many of you, I'm playing catch-up.  I was out of commission for six weeks during March and April, and am still tired.  I've dealt with insane neighbors, helped relatives with problems, run my house and my families', dealt with taxes, yard work, housework, pet 1.needs, etc.  I've read several books, and tried to write and make some progress.  Here is a list of what I've done for the museum.

International Dolls and Items from Doris Olson Collection

1.Moved and transported boxes of dolls and related items.

2. Attended a doll show to make some money for the museum.

3. Moved and arranged a case dedicated to the international costume dolls of Mrs. Doris Olson.

4. Repaired several dolls.

5. Began writing labels for dolls in museum displays.

6. Unpacked more older dolls and organized them for display.

7.  Furnished several doll houses.

8.  Did some doll shopping and hunting.

9. Dressed dolls.

10. Organized doll clothes.

11. General cleaning in museum.

12. Financed lawn care and landscaping in museum.

13. Put up modest Cinco de Mayo decorations.

14. Planned a podcast for the museum.

15.  Wrote thank you letters to donors.

16. Fielded questions from nosy neighbors.

17. Worked on social media to make sure we get "out there."

I also did a million other little things.  I hardly sleep.  some days, I run around for my family's estate matters, all day.  Just try to get a notary public these days!

So, we are hoping for a late summer opening, but keep your doll fingers crossed.  Happy Collecting, and Good Luck!